A combination FUE-FUT hair transplant uses both major surgical hair restoration techniques to maximise graft numbers for patients with extensive hair loss. It’s typically recommended for advanced cases needing 3,000 to 6,000 grafts. Combination FUE-FUT procedures require experienced surgeons, due to higher complexity, longer recovery, and increased risks such as scarring and overharvesting.
Combining FUE and FUT can offer maximum graft yield and transformative coverage for people with significant hair loss. Here, you’ll learn who can benefit from this type of hair transplant, what results to expect, and why expert planning is essential for natural, long-lasting restoration. This is our comprehensive guide to combination FUE-FUT surgery for those considering a high-volume hair transplant.
Key takeaways
A combination FUE and FUT hair transplant is a method of hair restoration that involves using the two most advanced surgical techniques in a single procedure: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT).
Most hair transplant patients don’t need combination surgery. They can use either FUE or FUT to achieve natural-looking results that blend effectively with their remaining original hair. In fact, according to data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS), just 2% of hair transplant patients used combination surgery in 2024 [1].
Both FUE and FUT can create highly realistic results when performed by skilled surgeons, but there are key differences between FUE and FUT that potential combination patients should know about.
FUE is a less invasive procedure than FUT. It involves extracting each hair graft from the donor area individually, using an instrument called a micropunch. The grafts are kept in a solution until the surgical team is ready to implant them into the balding areas.
FUT, meanwhile, involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area, then surgically slicing this into individual hair grafts, before implanting them into the recipient area.
When used alone, FUE tends to take slightly longer than FUT, but patients benefit from shorter recovery times and less scarring. Patients who have combination treatment will experience both the benefits and downsides of both types of surgery.
Learn more about FUT vs FUE from Wimpole Clinic surgeon Dr Peter Thomas:
Combining FUE and FUT is normally only necessary if you need a high number of grafts, which may be the case if you have advanced male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is typically measured using the Norwood Scale:
A combination FUE-FUT hair transplant may be recommended if you’re Norwood stage 5 or later. Dr Dinesh Patel explains why this approach may be appropriate for large scale procedures, and how he might combine the two techniques for a 5,000 graft hair transplant:
“FUT allows us to harvest a large number of grafts — usually around 3,000 to 3,500 — in one session, which is great for maximising graft yield. Then, I would use FUE to extract the remaining 1,500 to 2,000 grafts, which helps avoid a second linear scar and preserves the donor area. This combined approach balances getting the most grafts possible while minimising visible scarring and protecting the donor region.”
You can transplant up to 6,000 grafts with a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant, or the maximum number of grafts available in your donor area (research indicates 6,000 grafts is normally the safe limit) [2]. Combination hair transplants are normally reserved for high-volume hair transplants, typically 3,000 to 6,000 grafts.
Wimpole Clinic technician Evgeniya explains how many grafts are harvestable by FUT and FUE in this video:
You may be eligible for a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant if:
Dr Chirag Gadhia reveals other factors that may be considered when recommending FUE, FUT, or a combination approach:
“Hair texture can significantly influence whether we recommend the FUT or FUE procedure. In extreme cases — such as when a patient has extensive hair loss in the temporal region, hairline, frontal forelock, and midscalp — FUT may be a more optimal solution, especially when combined with FUE, as this approach can yield a higher total graft count.
“In Afro-Caribbean hair types, where curlier roots can make FUE extraction more challenging, FUT may be a more desirable option as it reduces the risk of follicular transection.
“When deciding between FUT, FUE, or a combined approach, a comprehensive assessment is essential. This should include evaluating scalp laxity, any previous hair transplant procedures, the patient’s willingness to shave the donor and recipient areas, and how the patient plans to style their hair in the future.”
You’re unlikely to be eligible for a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant if you’re still relatively young (i.e. under 30). Younger patients tend to have ongoing active hair loss, which must be stabilised before any type of hair restoration surgery. Combination hair transplants often use up most of the grafts in the donor area, leaving you with limited availability should you need a second hair transplant in future.
The best way to find out if you’re eligible for a combination FUE & FUT hair transplant is to book a consultation at a reputable hair transplant clinic. At the Wimpole Clinic, we examine your hair and scalp, then use our findings to recommend a suitable approach to tackle your hair loss.
Yes. A combination hair transplant session typically consists of FUT to extract the bulk of the grafts, followed by FUE to extract the remaining grafts without overharvesting your donor hair.
Because of the dual extraction methods, you can expect a combination hair transplant to take much longer than FUE or FUT by itself. However, the procedure should still be finished within one day, and you won’t need to stay at the clinic or hospital overnight.
At the Wimpole Clinic, we only normally advise getting a combination hair transplant if you have widespread hair loss, as well as realistic expectations for the outcome. We’ll also only consider a combination transplant if you have sufficient donor follicles to get a natural-looking result.
This transgender patient had 3 FUT and FUE combination hair transplants at the Wimpole Clinic. In addition, she uses minoxidil and finasteride to promote and maintain hair growth, as well as undergoing hormone treatment to support her transition.
Dr Patel shares his view on this patient’s result:
“Based on the results shown, I believe a substantial degree of coverage has been achieved, and the outcome appears very natural. In my opinion, achieving a natural look should always be the primary goal in any hair transplantation procedure.”
While getting a combination hair transplant is generally safe, there are some risks specific to this type of procedure prospective patients should be aware of.
Combining FUE and FUT means patients are left with both types of hair transplant scars . FUE scars are tiny and round, and virtually invisible when fully healed. FUT, meanwhile, normally leaves a thin linear scar in the donor area. This can be visible if the hair is cropped short. Dr Ahmad Moussa explains more:
“FUE allows men to wear their hair a lot shorter at the back without noticing too much of a change. Strip surgery, although a very, very good procedure that has its place in certain situations, will leave a long, thin surgical scar. So men need to be a little bit more careful with how they cut their hair at the back and how they style it if they go for that.”
If you opt for a combination of FUT and FUE, you’ll experience both types of scarring. Good surgeons can minimise the visibility of scars, so it’s really important to choose a skilled surgical team to perform your procedure. You may also choose to wear your hair longer at the back to hide any scars.
Hair transplant overharvesting happens when too many grafts are extracted from your donor area, leaving it looking sparse and patchy even in the long term. It’s why reputable clinics will assess your donor area prior to confirming your eligibility. Dr Patel explains more about overharvesting, and why it’s so important to avoid it:
“Overharvesting the donor area is something I see quite often in patients who had hair transplants in Turkey, especially from cheaper clinics that focus on doing a high number of surgeries every day. Not all clinics are like that — there are definitely some very good ones — but unfortunately, not everyone ends up in the right hands.
When too many grafts are taken from the donor area (usually the back and sides of the head), it can leave the hair there looking thin or patchy. In worse cases, there can be visible scarring or even permanent damage. This becomes a real problem if the patient wants or needs another transplant later, because there just isn’t enough healthy donor hair left to work with.
Fixing this kind of issue can be tricky and expensive. Sometimes we use scalp micropigmentation (like a tattoo that mimics hair) to hide the thin spots. In other cases, we have to use hair from other parts of the body, like the beard — but those procedures are more complex and take longer to heal.
So not only does overharvesting affect how the hair looks, it also limits what can be done in the future and can end up costing a lot more to fix. That’s why choosing a clinic with proper planning and experienced surgeons is so important — it really makes a difference in the long run.”
Combining FUE and FUT puts you at particular risk of overharvesting because they’re normally reserved for people who need high-volume hair transplants. The risk of overharvesting is higher if your surgical team hasn’t taken steps to preserve your donor area, so it’s important to discuss this with your team beforehand.
You may be at slightly higher risk of other hair transplant complications if you have a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant.
For example, shock hair loss is a type of temporary hair loss that’s common after a hair transplant. It can be more severe if your donor area has been overharvested [3].
Combination FUE-FUT is also more invasive than either technique by itself, so the initial recovery period may be more intense and take a little longer. You may experience more pain and swelling after your hair transplant.
While the initial recovery from a combination hair transplant takes a couple of weeks, the journey to seeing full and final results is normally around a year. Here’s what you need to know about recovery and results after a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant.
Transplanted hair grafts are normally secure after around 14 days. During this initial recovery period, your grafts can be dislodged by minor contact with any surface, which is why it’s really important to have at least a week of downtime after a hair transplant. This is even more important when you’ve had a combination hair transplant, due to the extent of the wounds and stitches in your donor area.
Getting plenty of rest gives your grafts the best chance of successful healing, which is more likely to result in long-term growth [4].
Shock hair loss is a side effect of hair transplantation that affects most patients, and it normally starts around 2-4 weeks after your procedure [3]. The hair loss is temporary, and starts to regrow within a few months.
The side effects of combination FUE-FUT surgery are broadly the same as for regular hair transplants, though they may be a little more intense and last longer than for patients who require one technique. Hair transplant side effects include [5]:
These complaints affect most patients within the first few days (except for shock hair loss, which normally starts around 2-4 weeks after your procedure). But with the right aftercare and support from your clinic, they’ll soon subside and you’ll be on your way to thicker, healthier-looking hair.
Most FUE & FUT hair transplant patients start to see regrowth within 6 months, with final results normally visible around 12 to 18 months after your procedure. Dr Hisham Band explains more in this video:
The total cost of a combination hair transplant depends on the number of hair grafts you need. Based on our UK hair transplant cost analysis, the average UK price per graft is £3.25. The table below gives an approximate breakdown of costs for high volume hair transplants (i.e. 3,000+ grafts):
You can expect to pay more compared with the same procedure using one technique. That’s because surgeons require specialist training and skill to perform FUT; many hair transplant surgeons are only qualified to perform FUE.
At our award-winning hair transplant clinic, we work with surgeons who can perform both FUE and FUT, making combination hair transplants accessible, safe, and affordable. Our clinic manager, Derek, explains more about hair transplant pricing at the Wimpole Clinic:
“The Wimpole Clinic charges a little more for FUT than FUE due to the complexity of the FUT procedure and the skills required to perform it. Costs for FUT vs FUE at the Wimpole Clinic and in general can vary based on the individual patient’s needs and the clinic’s pricing structure.”
If you have advanced hair loss across your scalp and you’re ready to take action, book a consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to discover if you’re a good candidate for a combination FUE-FUT hair transplant. We use advanced diagnostic techniques to assess your hair loss and recommend the best course of action for restoring your hair. This may include combined FUE-FUT, as well as non-surgical hair loss treatments like finasteride.
Contact your nearest Wimpole Clinic location to get started on your hair restoration journey today.
Learn more about high-volume and combination hair transplants in these frequently asked questions.
Not necessarily. Donor area depletion happens when all your available grafts have been harvested, regardless of the hair transplant technique used. It’s possible to deplete your donor area using FUE or FUT alone without careful donor area management.
Successful combination hair transplants should maximise the number of grafts, without causing visible depletion of the donor area.
If you’re male, you may be advised to use finasteride to maintain the results of your combined FUE-FUT hair transplant. Without this, you may start to see further native hair shedding, which can make your final results look patchy and unnatural.
Not all patients need to use finasteride after a hair transplant. If your hair loss has already stabilised without medication, it may not be necessary.
Yes, if you have enough grafts left in your donor area. However, combination procedures tend to use up a lot of grafts, and you only have a finite supply. If you’re concerned you may need future procedures, it’s important to work with a clinic who can achieve excellent results while offering conservative donor area management. A combination hair transplant may not be right for you at this time.
No. While FUT is an older technique than FUE, fewer surgeons can perform it. So you’ll need to find a surgeon who is qualified to perform both FUE and FUT for a successful combination hair transplant. Our clinic manager, Derek, explains more:
“Hair transplant is very skilled labour intensive and FUT is now becoming a rare method of surgery. There are very few hair transplant technicians who can still do this method of surgery. Having said that, some people may only be suitable for the FUT procedure.”
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr Ahmad Moussa is an experienced surgeon. His qualifications include a Master of Science degree in General Surgery, Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Doctorate degree in Neurosurgery and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Neurosurgery. He is a member of the British Medical Association and the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. Dr Moussa has over 15 years’ experience working in neurosurgery and is a GMC and Royal College of Surgeons certified Neurosurgeon.
His training and subsequent work as a consultant neurosurgeon in the NHS has included performing intricate brain surgery while patients are fully awake to be able to safely resect complex brain tumours. This level of skill, expertise and familiarity with the scalp has allowed Dr Moussa to successfully step into the rewarding world of hair transplant surgery.
Dr Moussa is trained in FUT and FUE hair transplant techniques including combining the two techniques together when required to achieve the appropriate number of grafts without overharvesting. He successfully carries out hair transplant surgery for both scalp and beard hair loss. Registered Number: 6065705
